At the "National Consultative Dialogue on the Safety of Journalists,: Press Clubs' representatives from across Pakistan were of the opinion that the rush for breaking news combined with the unprofessional attitude of editors, newsroom personnel and media houses leave journalists working in the field vulnerable and at risk. The Consultative Dialogue was organised by the Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) with the support of Open Society Institute (OSI) at a hotel, in Karachi on Thursday.
Leading journalists who also serve their local press club from Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Quetta, Peshawar, Muzaffarabad, Gilgit-Baltistan, Abbottabad, Khuzdar, Federally Administered Tribal Areas and other cities participated in the dialogue. PPF Secretary General Owais Aslam Ali moderated the interactive discussion, ensuring participation of all representatives in identifying challenges faced by journalists. He also shared PPF's vision and mandate of capacity building, and safety and security of media professionals.
Participants also narrated stories of attacks on their respective press clubs, and the threats faced by their members. They agreed that the breaking news phenomenon found in electronic media, combined with non-professional attitude of newsroom editors as well as media persons puts journalists at the greatest risk. Lack of awareness on part of journalists regarding the safety measures and guidelines was also cited as a problem.
Hammad Rind of the Balochistan Union of Journalists said that reporters and editors often cross the line between journalism and activism. Partisanship, he said, or supporting one point of view also puts media personnel at risk. Participants also emphasised the need for proper follow up on cases of attack on media, and to put an end to the impunity enjoyed by those who target media professionals.
The discussion also decided how to identify those journalists killed and/or injured while performing their professional duties and those killed for other reasons. Karachi Press Club Secretary Alauddin H Khanzada criticised the role of some media owners in particular in following up on cases of attack on journalists.
The participants urged that families of victims should be provided financial compensation and legal assistance. But, Khanzada emphasised, victims' families need to take the lead, citing the example of slain journalist Wali Khan Babar, whose brother ensured that those responsible were brought to justice.
The second half of the workshop focused on solutions and the role various stakeholders including media houses, unions, government, law enforcement agencies and civil society organisations can play in improving safety conditions of journalists. Participants said that training sessions and workshops on hostile environment, trauma, security measures, are needed for those working in the field to better protect themselves, particularly for those working in conflict zones. Better equipment and safety gear will also help. Insurance, promise of compensation, and consistent follow up on attacks by not only journalists and their unions, but also media owners and governments will also improve the overall situation. Proper salaries, including those of district reporters, and implementation of the Wage Board Award were also cited as solutions. Better co-ordination and communication with law-enforcement agencies and government would also help improve safety standards, according to press clubs' representatives.
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